Metro East Humane Society to begin Trap-Neuter-Return Program

Staff report

Published
3:45 pm CDT, Wednesday, June 14, 2017

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Metro East Humane Society to begin Trap-Neuter-Return Program

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EDWARDSVILLE — Metro East Humane Society (MEHS) is starting a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program in Alton in an effort to reduce the stray and feral cat population. According to Anne Schmidt, MEHS Executive Director, with assistance from staff of Best Friends Animal Society, in 2016, the Alton City Council changed city ordinances to allow stray and feral cats that have been spayed/neutered through the TNR program to be returned to the community. Previously, releasing cats back into the community would have been considered misdemeanor animal abandonment. “Without support from the Alton City Council and the Mayor, TNR wouldn’t even be possible,” Schmidt said.

Cats will be trapped, taken to MEHS for spay/neuter surgery and returned to the area the following day. Cats will be ear-tipped and tattooed to identify them as community cats. In addition, MEHS is working to educate Alton residents about ways to coexist with community cats including tips for handling nuisance issues. When appropriate, MEHS will keep adoptable cats if shelter space is available and no owner has come forward to claim them during a hold period.

“In communities across the country, TNR has significantly decreased the stray and feral cat population,” said Schmidt. “Eliminating the possibility for these cats to have multiple litters of unwanted kittens is more humane and, ultimately, more effective than impounding and euthanizing them.” The TNR program is funded thanks to support from Best friends Animal Society, the Petco Foundation, the Bernice Barbour Foundation, Athletes for Animals, and several individual donors.

“We are very excited to start this program in Madison County,” Schmidt said. “TNR will play a vital role in helping Madison County reach its resolution to become a no-kill county by 2021. We’re starting in Alton because they have a large population of stray and feral cats, but we hope it will eventually expand throughout the county.”

To learn more about the TNR or how to volunteer for the program, MEHS is hosting an information night at Old Bakery Beer Company on June 20th 4-7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Old Bakery Beer Company is located at 400 Landmarks Boulevard in Alton. Residents can also learn more about TNR and volunteering by visiting MEHS at the Collinsville Pet Expo at the Gateway Center on June 24th from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.